Here, in Bike-topia, it might seem like crazy talk. But there is a city in the American West where bicycling is outlawed.

That's right, pardner, the folks of Black Hawk, Colo., just don't take kindly to two-wheeled strangers rolling through their little town. As of Jan. 24, riding on most streets within the city is illegal.

Bicycle ColoradoThe signs that great bicyclists in Black Hawk, Colo.

According to ABC-Channel 7 in Denver, a group of cyclists found out the hard way recently. "We got pulled over and got tickets for $68," one of the riders told the TV station. "I thought maybe we were speeding."

Nope, the group was "caught" and ticketed for riding bicycles through town. Black Hawk promotes itself as a casino and resort town -- as long as you're driving. The bike ban, the city says, is a safety measure.

Channel 7 reports: "There are signs posted in several spots around town that show a bicycle with a circle around it and a line across it; however if people miss it and didn't read the section in the local newspaper talking about Black Hawk's new law, most would have no clue riding in spots is illegal."

Eight people were apparently ticketed the weekend of June 5. City officials recommend that riders "bike around the city or dismount and walk the bike through town."

Bicycle Colorado is challenging the legality of the law. The advocacy group formally asked Black Hawk City Council to lift the ban
during its June 9th meeting. "Council made it clear that
they had no intention of changing their ordinance," according to the group's website.

So, next time you complain that Portland's bicycling amenities are less than perfect, think of Black Hawk.